BREAKTHROUGH OPPOSITION
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”
Daniel 6:10-12 (NIV)
We live in a culture today where we call what is evil good and what is good evil. More than ever, Christians have to commit that we’ll live counterculturally. If your chief desire is to fit in, faith will be very hard for you. We’re reminded that we are aliens and strangers (1 Peter 2:11) in this world. If you don’t live like that, you’ll try to make this place your home and constantly cave in when pressures arise. I love how C.S. Lewis says it: When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind. In the passage above, Daniel had been told to stop praying to God and start praying to the king. This seemed like a good idea to the culture, but it was terrible for Daniel. Daniel had to choose where his loyalty would lie, which cost him something. Make no mistake, to live for Jesus will cost something. Now, for many of us, it won’t mean our physical lives, but it might mean comfort, resistance, awkward moments, people calling you narrow-minded, or even cost you some opportunities.
As we face opposition, we must ensure we don’t become hardened or calloused towards the world around us. This is, perhaps, my most difficult task. Remember when Jesus was facing opposition and being mocked on the cross? Do you remember some of His final words on the cross? He said, “Father, forgive them for they know do not what they are doing.” (Luke 24:34 NIV) This is one of the most problematic passages for me. The only way to live like Jesus is to love like Jesus. Jesus didn’t just take a stand for truth and call out the evil in the world. He loved and served those who frankly didn’t seem worthy of love. We must be hard and strong in our commitment to Jesus but soft and kind to those who aren’t like us. Jesus was full of truth and grace. We can’t pick and choose; we must be both. May you stay strong in opposition, but may your heart be soft to those who are far from God!
APPLICATION: Love today with truth and grace.
PRAYER: Ask the Spirit if there is anywhere you are compromising in the opposition you may face in your faith. Are there certain people or places you hide your light from? Ask for boldness and trade in the timidity. Believe in the Spirit, and it will be yours!
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?